From the battlefield to the bedroom: a multilevel analysis of the links between political conflict and intimate partner violence in Liberia
Title | From the battlefield to the bedroom: a multilevel analysis of the links between political conflict and intimate partner violence in Liberia |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Kelly, JTD, Colantuoni, E, Robinson, C, Decker, MR |
Journal | BMJ Glob Health |
Volume | 3 |
Pagination | e000668 |
ISBN Number | 2059-7908 (Print)2059-7908 |
Accession Number | 29662694 |
Keywords | cross-sectional survey, Public Health |
Abstract | Objectives: Assess the link between levels of armed conflict and postconflict intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women in Liberia. Methods: Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project data were used to measure conflict-related fatalities in districts in Liberia during the country's civil war from 1999 to 2003. These data were linked to individual-level data from the 2007 Demographic and Health Survey, including past-year IPV. Multilevel logistic models accounting for the clustering of women within districts evaluated the relationship of conflict fatalities with postconflict past-year IPV. Additional conflict measures, including conflict events and cumulative years of conflict, were assessed. Results: After adjusting for individual-level characteristics correlated with IPV, residence in a conflict fatality-affected district was associated with a 50% increase in risk of IPV (adjusted OR (aOR): 1.55, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.92). Women living in a district that experienced 4-5 cumulative years of conflict were also more likely to experience IPV (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.75). Conclusion: Residing in a conflict-affected district even 5 years after conflict was associated with postconflict IPV. Policy implications: Recognising and preventing postconflict IPV violence is important to support long-term recovery in postconflict settings. |
PMCID | PMC5898300 |